Gravy Stain
The butter or oil base of most gravies is what makes them so tasty; however, these ingredients are also what makes stain removal so problematic. Remove any excess gravy, saturate the area with detergent and scrub it into the garment, gently, as to not disturb the fibers, follow this up by immediately washing the garment as recommended. As an added tip, if the stain has had time to set, also place detergent on the underside of the garment in the area of the stain.
Red Wine Stain
Red wine can easily be classified as the mother of all stains and it’s also safe to say that it earned this title. Start your efforts by blotting the stain with a highly-absorbent paper towel, then sprinkle salt on the area to keep the wine from penetrating deeper into the fabric. To lift the stain, take a small amount of club soda and pour it over the area, blot again with a clean paper towel and wash as directed.
Egg Nog Stain
Spilling eggnog on your clothes is not the end of the world. However, you will need an enzyme-containing detergent to be successful when removing eggnog holiday food stains. A major part of an eggnog stain is the smell it leaves behind, enzymes specifically attack stain and odor causing bacteria – making it a key component. Once you have the right detergent, fill a bowl with cool water, add a small amount of the detergent, allow the garment to rest in the solution for about 30 minutes and wash as instructed.
Cranberry Sauce Stain
This holiday staple offers the perfect balance between sweet and sour. But, when it comes to your clothes, it’s not quite as appealing. If you get a holiday food stain stain on your clothing, immediately rinse it with cold water, while avoiding rubbing the fabric. In a sink of cold water, add the garment, one tablespoon of vinegar, half a teaspoon of detergent, soak for 15 minutes, rinse and wash the garment as instructed on the label and your clothing should be fresh and stain free.
Pumpkin Pie Stain
Think of the rustic orange color of pumpkin pie as dye. If you drop some on your clothing, don’t try to wipe it away. When you wipe, you only press the stain (dye) deeper into the fabric. The safer option is to use a spoon to scrape away any leftover residue. Immediately use cold water to flush the stain, apply a dab of detergent, use a clean, soft-bristled nail or tooth brush to work the detergent into the fabric fibers. And, clean the holiday food stains off of the garment according to its care instructions.
Call a Professional for All Holiday Food Stains
Whether you have holiday food stains that has penetrated deeply within the fibers of the fabric or you have a delicate garment with restrictive care instructions, you may be unable to remove the stain on your own. If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, don’t risk permanently damaging your clothing. Washing the garment over and over or ignoring its care guide in an effort to remove a stain will put undue stress on the fabric, resulting in a loss of shape, fading and an overall worn appearance. Rather than damage your garments, seek professional stain removal assistance.
Your clothes aren’t just a way to showcase your personality, they are also an investment. Protect your investment by fighting stains fast and accurately. And, feel free to take a look at our published blog post to learn more about tips when getting your home ready for the holidays.